Doubt, information and citizenship: training the critical thinking
December 2, 2016
In this excerpt from the "Cittadinanza InFormazione" conference, Andrea Ceccherini answered a question by a young person who asked if the exercise of doubt can sometimes lead to the development of cynicism.
In 2016 "Cittadinanza InFormazione" was held in La Spezia. The conference was organized by the Osservatorio Permanente Giovani-Editori and its President Andrea Ceccherini. It was attended by a thousand high school students.
"It is very important to cultivate doubt in order to get as close as possible to the truth. It is important to develop doubt and have a sort of ‘Talking Cricket’, a worm of doubt, that will help you question whatever is placed before you.
What is the limit? It is difficult to say. I am someone who would say: 'Stay away from those who say enough.' No more whys, enough with questions... because questions are probably never enough.
I believe that, on average, a person who has doubts is much more interesting than someone who only has certainties. And since I believe each one of you wants to be an actor and not a mere spectator, thus a citizen and not a subject, I hope you will become a leader and not a follower. I therefore urge you, don't be afraid to have your doubts with you!"
